Steel column and frame for floor slabs



March 13 1934. W H, WHEELER STEEL COLUMN AND FRAME FOR FLOOR SLABLy Filed Feb. 18, 1931 NVENTOR LTER H WHEELER B 4 M Mfr/4 ATTORNEY a a n Patented Mar. 13, 1934 STEEL COLUMN AND FRAME FOB. FLOOR SLABS Walter H. Wheeler, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application February 18, 1931, Serial No. 516,607

13 Claims.

This invention relates to reinforced building construction, and has more especial reference to a frame adapted for use to support a floor slab upon a steel column or upon a combination steel and concrete column.

Various types of frames, heads, or capitals have heretofore been incorporated in building constructions at the jointures between columns and floor slabs thereof to better and more durably support the iloor slabs from the columns, and at the same time resist shearing strains at and adjacent to the locations of jointures between columns and floor slabs.

The main object of the present invention is to provide a frame for supporting a floor slab upon a steel column or upon a combination steel and concrete column which will be of the novel and improved structure and will function in the novel and improved manner hereinafter set forth, and which will constitute an improvement generally over more or less similar devices now of commerce.

A more specic object is to provide a floor slab supporting frame adapted to be disposed entirely F within a floor slab, preferably centrally above a concrete upright oi a supporting column therefor, said supporting frame desirably in effect comprising a plurality of sets of spaced apart bars intersecting each other adjacent the central portions of said sets, or at location directly above said concrete upright of said column, said supporting frame being adapted to surround a.-

steel column, imbedded in said concrete upright, and to be supported upon said steel column, and

' said supporting frame including extensions of said spaced apart bars adapted to project horizontally beyond each of the vertical or upstanding sides of the concrete upright of said column, preferably to positions within said floor slab at considerable distance from said column, to thus most satisfactorily and efficiently support the floor slab upon the combination steel and concrete column with but a minimum of shearing strain at and adjacent to the location of jointure between the steel and concrete column and the floor slab.

A further specic object is to provide a floor slab supporting frame as stated in the foregoing paragraph, wherein the portion of said supporting frame which is adapted to surround the steel column is adapted to be supported upon said steel column through the instrumentality of fastening means, such as rivets, arranged in said steel column and in said floor slab supporting frame.

(Cl. 'l2-76) A still further specific object is to provide a supporting frame as stated, which will include desirably vertical protuberances or lugs projecting from said supporting frame and adapted to be imbedded in the iioor slab.

And a still further specific object is to provide a floor slab supporting frame composed of a single piece of metal providing said plurality of sets of spaced apart bars, which bars are desirably parallel and are of U-channel construction to better receive the means employed for fastening said floor slab supporting frame to the steel column, and which sets of bars'preferably intersect each other at right angles.

With the above objects in view, as well as others which will appear as the specification proceeds, the invention will now be fully described and will hereinafter be specifically claimed.

In the accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, and in which like reference characters indicate like parts throughout the several views,

Fig. 1 is a plan view, partially sectioned and partially broken away, of a frame for steel and concrete columns made in accordance with the invention, showing a steel column in horizontal section;

Fig. 2 is a vertical sectional view of the frame of Fig. 1, showing a fragment of the steel column in elevation;

Fig. 3 is a plan view of the frame, this view showing, in dotted lines, a concrete upright of a column beneath the frame, and in full lines, the steel column in transverse section, and also disclosing, in elevation, the horizontal reinforcing rods to be imbedded in the floor slab and, in section, the vertical reinforcing rods; and

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view, taken as on line 4-4 in Fig. 3, showing the floor slab and an upper continuation of the combination steel and concrete column, omitted from Fig. 3, in section.

With respect to the drawing and the numerals of reference thereon, 10 represents a vertical concrete upright or column, 1.1 designates avertical steel column which is centrally arranged in said concrete upright or column, 12 denotes a concrete oor slab supported upon the concrete and steel columns, and 13 indicates a supporting frame arranged upon the steel column 11 and centrally above the concrete upright 10, as will be more clear from Figs. 3 and 4.

The supporting frame 13 is, as shown in Fig. 4, disposed within the oor slab, and comprises a plurality of sets, designated 14 and 15, of spaced apart bars. While different numbers of said sets of bars may be used, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated, two sets are shown. These bars intersect each other adjacent the central portions of the sets to provide an open body of the 5 frame arranged centrally thereof, said body as disclosed constituting an open square defined by the midlength portions 16 of said bars 14 and 15. Desirably, although not necessarily, the supporting frame 13 is composed of a single piece of metal, the different sets 14 and 15 of bars intersect eachother at right angles, and the bars of each set are parallel. Each bar of the sets 14 and 15 is desirably of U-channel construction or form in cross section as best shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 4, and said supporting frame 13 constitutes 'an integral structure, as best shown at the location of the section in Fig. 1. As will be clear from the'drawing, the bases 17 of the U-channel members of the supporting frame 13 are disposed vertically when said supporting frame is applied to use.

Each bar of the sets 14 and 15 includes horizontal extensions projecting beyond the open body of the supporting frame defined by the portions 16, and, preferably, the said extensions of all of the bars are of equal length.

As disclosed, the steel column 11 is of H-form in cross section, and the open body of the supporting frame 13 is situated upon said steel column so that the portion of eachof the bases 17 of the U-channel members of said supporting frame at the location of said open body are arranged in parallel relation with said steel column. 'Ihe midlength portions of a pair of opposite bases 17 are located in close proximity to adjacent surfaces of the steel column, and attaching means, such as rivets 18, are arranged in said adjacent surfaces of the steel column and in the midlength portions of said bases 17 of the supporting frame 13 to rigidly connect the supporting frame to said steel column. The internal dimensions of the open body of thesupporting frame 13 are slightly greater than the crosssectional dimension of the steel column 11, in order that said supporting frame may be readily and easily applied to said steel column. Desirably, spacing elements 19, one upon each rivet 18, are arranged between the bases 17 and the surfaces of the steel column to which said bases 17 are attached.

In the finished structure, the open body of the supporting frame, defined by the portions 16er-, ranged upon and attached to the steel column 11, as by rivets 18, is of dimension to be positioned directly above the upper end of a constructed concrete upright, such as 10, preferably well within the confines of said 'concrete upright as disclosed in Fig. 3, While the horizontal extensions of the bars beyond the portions 16 are of length to project beyondthe vertical or upstanding sides of the concrete upright, preferably to positions within the floor slab at considerable distance from said concrete upright. See Figs. 3 and 4.

The building construction as illustrated desirably includes, in addition to the supporting frame 13, horizontal reinforcing rods 20 and 21 imbedded in the concrete of the floor slab l2 and running over the top of said supporting frame, the reinforcing rods 20 being approximately parallel with the bars of the set 14 and the reinforcing rods 21 being perpendicular to the rods 20 and approximately parallel with the bars of the set 15. Also, the present construction desirably includes vertical reinforcing rods 22 imbedded in the concrete upright 10 and projecting between the bars of the supporting frame 13 and past the reinforcing rods 20 and 21.

When erecting a building including floor slabs such as 12, the steel columns, such as 11, are customarily erected in two or three story lengths, and the concrete columns are built up. to each floor to be constructed, and the concrete to provide the floor, or a part thereof, is then poured. In the present instance, a supporting frame 13 will be arranged uponand attached to each steel column 11, in the manner as described, at a iioor level above a concrete upright 10, which was before poured around said steel column, to support the floor, in about the manner as shown in Fig. 3, and when the forms for the concrete to provide the floor are ready, said concrete will be poured, and afterwards leveled off, it being of course understood that the reinforcing rods 22 are positioned in the concrete upright or column form before the concrete for providing the concrete upright 10 is poured about the steel column 11, as are also the reinforcing rods 20 and 21 positioned in the floor or slab form before the concrete for providing the floor or slab is poured. In the completed structure, the supporting frames are all entirely imbedded in the concrete uprights or floor slabs, as are also the reinforcing rods 20, 2l and 22.

It should be remarked that the present construction applies to steel frame construction where the steel columns are not encased in concrete. That is, the steel columns might be fireproofed with hollow tile, or brick, or lath and plaster, and only the floor slabs be of concrete.

Each bar of the supporting frame may include integral downwardly extending protuberances or lugs 23. Said lugs 23 could, however, be omitted. These lugs 23 when employed rest upon the floor form and support the frame before the concrete is poured. Said lugs are of course imbedded in the finished floor slab. 'Ihe bars of the supporting frame could include additional lugs (not shown) extending upwardly and/or downwardly, as will be apparent.

After a floor including a slab such as 12 is completed, the concrete upright 10 is built up to the next higher floor to be made.

The body of the supporting frame 13 is located slightly above the bottom of the oor slab, the protuberances or lugs 23 when employed engaging the base of the form for the concrete to provide the floor slab, and the poured concrete flows beneath the body of the supporting frame, as well as about its protuberances or lugs, and into the U-channel sections of the bars of said supporting frame. The concrete completely envelops and imbeds the whole ofthe supporting frame, and flows about the adjacent portion of the 'steel column 11 to also envelop and imbed said portion.

The various advantages gained by employment of the present supporting frame will be apparent. The arrangement as illustrated and described makes provision for the support of the floor slab directly upon the steel column, as well as upon the central portion of the upper end of the concrete upright or column when utilized, and thus, practically speaking, eliminates all shearing strains upon the columns, as well as upon the floor slab. The supporting frame being rigidly united with the steel column by the attaching means, such as the rivets 18, and with the concrete upright by the concrete in which said supporting frame is imbedded and centrally arranged or balanced upon said concrete upright,

and extending horizontally beyond each wall of the concrete upright, provides a rigid carrier of relatively great expanse for the slab, which carrier evidently greatly strengthens the structure particularly at and adjacent to the locations where the steel column and the concrete upright meet the floor slab. At the same time, the supporting frame is of construction and dimensions to lie wholly Within the floor slab without necessity for thickening said slab beyond the thickness it ordinarily requires. Said supporting frame 13 can find use with any ordinary or preferred type of column and eliminates any necessity for having a bracing or diagonal portion extending outwardly adjacent the top of the column to the floor.

The supporting frame of the invention can be very economically manufactured. Obviously, it is carried to the location of building construction and there incorporated into the structure, no preliminary assemblies being required. When employing my arrangement as shown and described, all that is required is to properly attach the supporting frames 13 to the steel columns 11 and properly place the reinforcing rods in the forms when these are ready, and then pour the concrete.

It is to be understood that the supporting frame 13 can include any number of bars to each set, such as 14 and 15, as may in a particular case be preferred, as well as include a number of sets of bars greater than two, and the const-ruction can include a greater or less number of reinforcing rods 20, 21 and 22 than shown.

While I have preferred to illustrate and describe a single embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that the disclosure herein is merely illustrative and intended in no way in a limiting sense, changes in details of construction and arrangement of parts being permissible so long as within the spirit of the invention and the scope of the claims which follow.

What I claim is:-

1. A building construction comprising a frame for'supporting a floor slab upon a combination steel and concrete column including a column of steel imbedded in an upright of concrete, said frame consisting of a plurality of intersecting sets of spaced apart bars supported upon said steel column, said column passing through said frame, said bars including extensions thereof projecting horizontally beyond each of the walls of said concrete upright said frame and extension being disposed between the top and bottom surfaces of said floor slab.

2. A frame for supporting a floor slab upon a combination steel and concrete column including a column of steel imbedded in an upright of concrete, comprising a plurality of intersecting sets of spaced apart bars providing a body portion of said frame adapted to be supported upon said steel column and to be disposed centrally above said concrete upright between the top and bottom surfaces of said floor slab, said steel column passing through said frame, and extensions of said bars projecting beyond said body portion and adapted to project beyond the walls of said concrete upright and disposed-between the top and bottom surfaces of said floor slab.

3. A building construction comprising a frame for supporting a floor slab upon a combination steel and concrete column including a column of steel imbedded in an upright of concrete said frame consisting of a single piece of metal constituting a plurality of sets of spaced apart bars providing a body portion of said frame supported upon said steel column and disposed centrally above said concrete upright and between the top and bottom surfaces of said floor slab, said steel column passing through said frame, and extensions of said bars projecting beyond said body portion and beyond the walls of said concrete upright and disposed between the top and bottom surfaces of said iioor slab, said supporting frame being imbedded in the concrete of said floor slab.

4. The combination as specified in claim 2, and lugs upon said bars adapted to support said frame in the floor form and to be imbedded in the concrete of said oor slab.

5. A building construction comprising a frame for supporting a floor slab upon a combination steel and concrete column including a column of steel imbedded in an upright of concrete, said frame consisting of a plurality of intersecting sets of spaced apart bars arranged upon said steel column, said frame having a central opening through which said steel column passes and means attaching said frame to said steel column, said bars including extensions thereof projecting horizontally beyond each of the walls of said concrete upright said frame and extensions being disposed between the top and bottom surfaces of said floor slab.

6. A building construction comprising -a frame for supporting a floor slab upon a combination steel and concrete column including a column of steel imbedded in an upright, said frame consisting of a plurality of intersecting sets of spaced apart bars providing an open body portion having vertical surfaces disposed at opposite sides of said steel column, means riveting said steel column and said vertical surfaces to each other, and extensions of said bars projecting beyond. said body portion and the walls of said concrete upright said frame and extensions being disposed between the top and bottom surfaces of said floor slab.

7. A building construction comprising an integral frame for supporting a floor slab upon a combination steel and concrete column including a column of steel imbedded in an upright of concrete, comprislng a plurality of sets of spaced apart parallel bars, which sets intersect each other at right angles adjacent the central portions of said sets, said sets of bars providing a body portion of said frame adapted to be disposed upon said steel column and centrally above said concrete upright, said column passing centrally through said frame, extensions of said bars projecting beyond said body portion and the walls of said concrete upright, said frame and extensions being disposed between the top and bottom surfaces of said fioor slab and means for rigidly connecting said body portion of the frame to said steel column.

8. The combination as specified in claim 7, wherein said steel column is of H-form in cross section and said body portion of the frame includes surfaces arranged parallel with and in close proximity to vertical surfaces of said steel column, said column passing through said frame and wherein said adjacent surfaces of said frame and said steel column are rigidly riveted to each other.

9. The combination with a steel and concrete column and a floor slab supported thereon, of an integral supporting frame comprising a plurality.

of intersecting se'ts of spaced apart bars providing a body portion of said frame arranged upon a steel column and disposed in said floor slab centrally above a concrete column, said column passing through said frame extensions of said bars disposed in said floor slab and projecting beyond said body portion and the walls of said column, said frame and said extensions being disposed between the top and bottom surfaces of said floor slab reinforcing rods imbedded in said floor slab and spanning the top of said frame, and reinforcing rods imbedded in said column and projecting between the bars of said frame and past the reinforcing rods in said oor slab.

l0. A frame for a combination steel and concrete column head adapted to be disposed in a iioor slab and upon a steel column head centrally over a concrete upright of said column head, comprising an integral member formed of two pairs of slightly spaced bars of channel-shape in cross section, said bars being disposed in the same horizontal plane and intersecting at right angles, said bars being disposed between the top and bottom surfaces of said slab vertical portions of intermediate parts of said bars being adapted to be arranged in proximate relation to vertical portions of said steel column, and means for rigidly connecting together said Vertical portions of said steel column and of said bars.

1l. A frame for a steel column head adapted to be disposed in a floor slab, comprising an integral member formed of a plurality of sets of slightly spaced, intersecting bars of channel-shape in cross-section, vertical portions of intermediate parts of said bars being adapted to be arranged in proximate relation to vertical portions of said steel column and disposed between the top and bottom surfaces of said floor slab, and means for rigidly connecting together said vertical portions of said steel column and of said bars.

12. A frame for a steel column head adapted to be disposed in a fioor slab comprising an integral member having an open space at its center through which a steel column may pass and having portions surrounding said open space, together with sets of spaced bars projecting outwardly in four directions from the central portion of said member, said portions being adjacent said column, means connecting said bars and column, said member with said bars being disposed between the top and bottom surfaces of said floor slab.

13. A building construction comprising an integral frame for supporting a floor slab, said frame comprising' sets of spaced parallel rigid bars intersecting each other to form a symmetrical gure and having a central opening therein with oppositely disposed vertical surfaces, a steel I-beam passing through said central opening substantially in contact with said vertical surfaces, rivets connecting said I-beam and said frame, a concrete column surrounding said steel column, a concrete fioor extending from said column with its top and bottom surfaces respectively above and below the top and bottom of said frame.

WALTER H. WHEELER.

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